Author's Note: Hey hey! Hope y'all are well! I decided to throw in a chapter, although it's shorter than usual chapters. It was either this or having to wait until probably next year until I'm done with my exams haha. :'))

I would also like to thank all the reviewers and alerts. You guys are truly motivational and I'm really glad you like my story. ;-; I have another announcement at the end of this chapter, so please let me know what you guys think!

Enjoy friends!

Far Beyond The Truth

Chapter 19

"I see." Shikamaru frowned, nodding for the girl to continue. He was lying back on the bed, listening as Temari proceeded to document everything the girl was saying on one of her scrolls. Meiko was still unsure what to make of the entire thing, but she resumed the narration of the events taking place few days ago.

"Yeah— I also thought it was odd how Deidara said he and Ino barely knew each other, when Ino practically begged me to save him in exchange of working for me. But I… I just dismissed it as Ino being a really kind person, you know?" She shrugged, fixating her eyes at a certain spot on the ground, deep in thought. "That was until…"

"Otonashi-san—"

The dark-haired girl looked up from her paperwork to face the blonde kunoichi, who stood opposite her at the other side of her wooden desk. The Yamanaka was still holding some of the herbs she had previously collected, unconsciously twirling a stem between her fingers.

"Do… you know anything about complete memory loss?"

Her question took the medic completely off-guard. Ino noticed that too, so she immediately added to her question, waving with her hands. "N-not that I think that you don't know— b-but I mean—"

Meiko was still surprised, dropping the pen to give the girl her full attention. "Complete memory loss..? Why are you asking?"

Ino was still hesitant, suddenly feeling tremendously stupid. Before she could disregard the question, Meiko let out a chuckle. "It's okay. You can tell me." Her smile was encouraging enough for the Yamanaka to sit down on the chair, finally establishing an eye contact.

"I know I might sound crazy— but Otonashi-san, you're a doctor. You should understand. Truth is…I don't remember anything, about my past and who I am. For what I was able to understand from my belongings and the few memories I've recollected, I'm a kunoichi from Konohagakure. Deidara found me unconscious few days ago— most likely from a fight I was involved in, and when I woke up I could not remember a thing, not even my name! We ran into trouble while he was escorting me home and that's why we are here— but anyway Otonashi-san… I know I am asking a lot from you but if you can help me out in any way—" The look in the Yamanaka's eyes was so desperate, and by the end of her plea she was leaning closer over the desk her hand held in the other.

Meiko needed few moments for her to take that all in. Her face soon turned more serious, nodding at the kunoichi.

"I wonder if this is some kind of post-traumatic amnesia. You must have had a head injury that brought upon you that sudden memory loss," She got up from her place grabbing a pen torch, "keep looking ahead." She instructed, swinging the light from one eye to the other. It did not take the medic longer than few minutes to finish the rest of her examination. She leaned back to half-sit on her desk, sighing as she folded her arms.

"You said you do not remember who you are or where you're from, correct?"

Ino nodded. "I didn't...but I found my identity card in my bag and that was how I knew my name and village. I was able to remember few things here and there with time...kinda random actually. I was able to recall my teammates and my late sensei. And that I worked in a flower shop...just few things here and there but nothing too solid. Will I ever regain my memories back Otonashi-san?!"

Meiko heaved another sigh. "I am not sure, to be honest..." She paused before carrying on. "Seems like you're currently suffering from a retrograde amnesia, meaning that you cannot recall memories before your traumatic injury. But with that being said—" She held her index and middle finger up. "I have some good news and bad news for you. Which ones you wanna hear first?"

Ino was taken off-guard. She shook her head, waving with her hand. "Whichever really—"

"Okay...the good news is that you don't seem to have any other obvious deficit in what concerns your nerve functions, which could also be caused by that head injury you sustained. The fact that your memories are gradually coming back to you is a good sign. But bad news is...we don't know how long complete retrieval is going to take. For some it might take few minutes, whereas others might need weeks to months..."

"So that bastard was taking advantage of this and wanted to use Ino for his own plans." Shikamaru huffed, crossing his arms. The medic looked up still not convinced, leaning back on her chair.

"I don't know— Ino said he risked his life saving her more than once and that was why they came here...I really don't know the full story, I'm sorry this is all I know..." Meiko bowed apologetically but the Nara slightly leaned forward, waving with his hands.

"No no, Otonashi-san—" He said feeling guilty, "You were a great help already, we thank you a lot."

Shikamaru was smiling when his ears picked up a rustle in the bushes from the window behind him, and he turned around immediately.

"Also—" Deidara added stopping by the door frame. He spent the last thirty minutes or so just explaining the dos and the don'ts of this place, such as 'do not wander off alone' or 'do not touch or even breathe next to any of my art supplies.' Throughout all of it Ino was just laying down on her mattress, rolling her eyes and sighing at the stupidest things that boy had come up with. Like of course she would remove her hair from the drain after taking a shower! The kunoichi was very close to covering her head with the pillow.

"Don't you ever leave this floor, un," Deidara's eyes suddenly darkened, his expression more serious, "the clay in your bloodstream has a very narrow sensing range, so if you cross an extra insignificant centimeter—BANG." His face lit up more than needed for a split second at that final word, "don't get me wrong I wouldn't have minded that much, un, but the hokage is still expecting you to be alive and I've put some effort into this, so..." The Akatsuki member smirked before finally stepping outside the room, leaving the leaf ninja alone.

The Yamanaka was only able to blink at that last declaration. Did that maniac just leave the most important rule until the very end?

Although Ino really wanted to be angry, she was so fed up with everything that she just disregarded the negative emotions Deidara had thrown at her. She sighed and laid on her back, looking around the room with lazy eyes.

I should really make a plan. I have to be absolutely careful over how I'm going to investigate the area.

It was only when her eyes landed on the small window on the wall above that an idea popped in her head.

If I can't physically leave this place then…maybe…

She sat up in her place immediately and snatched the IV line off her hand, as the infusion bag was now empty anyway. The girl made sure the hallway was clear before stepping out, heading to the direction of the kitchen.

This is kinda scary—

Closed doors were on each side of the poorly-lit corridor. Her steps echoed until she finally reached the only open, illuminated room, and surprisingly enough it was very well-equipped. She did not expect it to be that modern nor for it to have so many food options.

Then again, they are a bunch of rich criminals so I shouldn't be surprised.

The kunoichi checked the refrigerator and opened the cupboards until she finally found toast and bread. She took a piece for herself and another in her hand, running back to Deidara's room.

I really hope this works out— Ino thought opening the window to place a small piece of bread outside it. She sat down on her mattress not taking her eyes off the small opening.

Okay assuming this works out. I need to know where I am and where I should be heading— I can't take too long and risk Deidara finding out. Focus Ino. Try to remember where was the last time you've seen Shikamaru or Chouji…

Ino closed her eyes and held the sides of her head, concentrating on summoning the latest memories she could collect.

"Konohagakure. That's where we're heading, un."

"We entered the borders of the River Country; you have absolutely no business with us, un."

"Oh, yeah, right, didn't that impassive-faced bastard teach you not to mess with me, un?"

"You thought you'd ruin my hair and get away with it, un? Art is a flash of beauty, un!"

Euh—it's no use. Everything's scattered. I can't get anything solid. Damn it! What in the world happened between me and Deidara?! Was I under a genjutsu?! Why else would I willingly accompany him and why won't he tell me anything about it?!

The kunoichi occasionally looked at the window then back at the door, making sure no one beside her was indeed there.

I can't enter his mind until I'm absolutely sure I'm leaving right after, otherwise who knows what kind of torture he would bestow upon me. I need to— ahh! There!

The Yamanaka was so preoccupied with her thoughts that she almost missed the chirping of the bird roaming around the piece of bread. Another moment of speculation had revealed that the animal could not even get to the windowsill. A barrier forbid him to. Taking one last glance at the door, the kunoichi held her hands up at the direction of the animal, forming a hand seal.

"Ninpõ: Mind Body Switch jutsu!"

And with that the girl's body quietly fell limp on the mattress.

Okay, I only have around thirty minutes to do this. I can't take too long and risk Deidara finding out!

The moment Ino took off towards the sky, the environment around her seemed to change. When she turned around to take a look at her prison, she was no longer able to easily spot the window to that artist's room through the rocky illusion of a cliff. The genjutsu was strong but the bird's vision and sense of smell were still sharp enough to occasionally see through it.

I don't know this area… how am I meant to—

As soon as Ino's eyes –the bird's more accurately— landed on the ground in front of the hideout, the sight of dried blood, followed by its smell, were too evident to ignore. Flashbacks of Deidara limping in the cell as well as his injured abdomen soon crossed her mind and at that the girl mentally gulped.

Following the trail will surely lead me to the battlefield. And.. hopefully… to Shikamaru and Chouji…

The Yamanaka thought diving the bird downwards. She picked a bunch of flowers in her beak before setting off to track her teammates.

It did not take long before Ino arrived at the battle ground, as pools of blood and clay were scattered everywhere. Ino's heart sank when she saw another trail of blood running at the opposite direction.

No...this can't be...

The bird that was now Ino dashed even faster between the trees, the panic growing within her even more. Could it be that Deidara...and her teammates—

The girl mentally shook her head. There were only few minutes left until she switched back to her body so she had to find someone. Anyone. It was her only shot at disclosing those Akatsuki's hideout after all. Tanigakure's village gate gradually came into view as the kunoichi sped up, making her way between the shops and houses without any sort of halt. The entire scenery appeared too familiar, but she was in no position to pause and give it some thought.

"Please! Do you know where I can find a fine medic? This is an emergency!"

"Please…please…I need your help…He..he's gonna die."

It was a moment of revelation when the trail stopped in front of a closed door, so Ino hastily roamed around the house in search of a way inside. To her content a window was left open, so she finally entered the house only to find herself caught between three people two of which she was very familiar with.

Shikamaru—!

Ino could not describe how relieved she felt at seeing the boy safe and sound. He obviously did not look his best but as long as he made it out of that fight alive. Deidara as well looked awful after all.

"Huh—?" Temari dropped her pen and followed the bird that was rampageously flying in the room with her eyes. The bird finally landed on Shikamaru's body and with one look at the animal holding a flower in its beak, Shikamaru's eyes widened, sitting up immediately.

"Ino—?!" The shinobi exclaimed automatically reaching to hold the bird. As she had no time left, the bird chirped as its feet grabbed the pen Temari was previously holding, difficultly trying to write on her scroll.

"Shikamaru, what is the meaning of this...?" The sand kunoichi finally spoke, watching the animal scribbling on her paper. The Nara opened his mouth to speak but the bird was already done. It fluttered to his gaze and when their eyes locked together, Ino dropped the flower on her teammate's lap, the animal falling down right after. It took the animal few seconds for it to wake up again, escaping outside the room straight after.

"Shikamaru...?" Temari repeated confused still. Said man reached for the scroll and zoned out for a moment, trying to make sense of the last two minutes of turmoil.

"Follow..." Shikamaru whispered, his mind drifting off. Unexpectedly, even for himself, he pulled his lips in a wide smirk, twirling the stem of the flower between his fingers. He had worked together with the Yamanaka for long enough time to be able to figure out her tactics.

"Nothing less expected from Ino," the leaf ninja revealed leaning back to cross his arms behind his head. "Following these flowers should lead us to those Akatsuki."

"Another thing is—" Meiko's face dropped as she straightened up, rubbing the back of her neck. "As your amnesia lasts, new events cannot be stored. You might remember few events that has happened after your injury or what we call, 'islands of memory,' but otherwise, all the memories you're making right now—"

"—will be forgotten...?" Ino finished, her eyes open wide. "Does that mean I will not remember who Deidara is...? Or everything that we have gone through together...?"

Meiko nodded, looking down. "I'm afraid so..."

Huh...who is this girl... why am I— more importantly, Shikamaru is safe with Temari, I'm so glad! I really hope he understands my trace, otherwise— huh, feels warm...

Ino blinked her eyes open adjusting again to her body. It was still blurry when she saw someone's face in front of hers, however it took her a full five seconds for her to realize it was Deidara, and he was blowing right into her mouth.

"Wh-what are you—!?" Ino shouted pushing the blond away from her. She sat up promptly wiping her mouth with her wrist, unable to contain the blush tainting her cheeks. "The fuck were you— Are you out of your mind?!"

How dare that crazy criminal take advantage of this to touch her inappropriately?!

"I-I can explain, un—!" Deidara sat up as well, slightly crawling away from her though. "I came back to check on you and you were barely breathing, un! I thought your health was deteriorating since you wouldn't respond so I was giving you rescue breaths!"

As much as she wanted to have another reason to hate on that Akatsuki member, one look at his anxious face was enough for her to calm herself down. One of the reasons she could not sustain her jutsu for a long period of time was because she performed her Mind Body Switch on an animal, whose heart and respiratory rate vary greatly than that of humans. Although she was trained to adjust her vital signs on the different vessels she used, animals were obviously not. Therefore, if they remained for too long in her body, they would eventually damage it.

Worried he might figure out what she had just done, the kunoichi huffed and looked away, crossing her arms.

"I don't know what the hell you're talking about. Clearly, I'm more than fine and I'm just incredibly tired still. I was about to die just few hours ago, what else do you expect?! Thanks for waking me up, by the way. Now get off my mattress. Ugh, dumbass." The florist lay back on her mattress, giving the artist her back and pulling the cover over her body.

Deidara was too embarrassed to argue so he did as he was told, surprisingly enough for Ino. He grumpily mumbled to himself as he turned the lights off and rested on his own bed, his back turned towards her too. He was unaware how nervous the kunoichi was, hence why she was so grateful he was clueless about the medical domain. Another moment of speculation had caused her to kind of soften though, as it finally sank in that he would do her no harm at the time being. The room fell quiet and with the silence came Ino's distorted thoughts, the random scenes that flashed before her weighing heavier. That final scene was occupying her the most for if everything she had been seeing was true, then that established the fact that she had suffered from amnesia, and that she and Deidara had spent quite some time together. She still did not know the circumstances bringing them closer like that, but that was something she had to find out one way or another.

"Deidara? You're still up?" The girl started, not turning around. The missing nin's reply was only a half-hearted grunt, and it took Ino some self-restraint not to laugh at the man's irritation. Up until now, he was the one making fun of her after all. Although she did not know whether he was going to reply or not, she still continued.

"That time you fought the Anbus, you know on the huge tree— it was such a genius move. I pulled the same trick with my hair in my chunin exams. No one saw it coming." The Yamanaka smiled at recalling that fight. It was after it that she and Sakura had finally made up. It was such a bittersweet memory.

Deidara opened his eyes the moment he heard that revelation. Did...that mean that she regained her memories of the last few days? The Yamanaka was almost convinced that the boy would not respond, for he took few seconds to reply.

"You...you remember that?"

The girl unconsciously nodded, failing to notice he could not see her.

"What else do you remember, un...?"

"I will answer your question if you answer mine. I know I had some kind of amnesia, but how did we end up together? Why didn't you tell me anything about it?"

The terrorist bomber blinked, a light blush coloring his cheeks. It took him a moment to understand what she had meant so he was glad the room was dark and the girl could not see him.

"I wanted you to take me to the Kyuubi, obviously. Why else would I willingly accompany someone like you, un?" He let out a sarcastic chuckle. "Your turn. Answer my question, un."

Ino was still not convinced by his answer. In all the memories that flashed through her eyes, Deidara's expression was different than everything he was showing her now. It was softer. More genuine. More sincere. Even if she could not feel the emotions behind the scenes that she had once gone through, she could still distinguish how that Akatsuki was more...unrestrained around her. That natural laugh of his that she heard in one of her memories? She would have never been able to imagine it even if her life was depending on it.

"I don't know— I mean I personally think that I'm a fun person to be around." She shrugged, unable to hold her smirk. "My turn, how long did we spend time together?"

When Deidara realized what that leaf ninja had just pulled, he furrowed his eyebrows and turned his face back, aggravated.

"Hey! You know that wasn't my question! You're cheating, un!"

"I'm not cheating. You were not so clear about which question you wanted me to answer. So I picked one of them."

The Akatsuki was glaring hard at the silhouette of the Yamanaka before resting back in his place, giving up.

"A week and a half, un. Now answer my question; what else do you remember?"

"Hmm..." Ino looked at the distance, trying to remember the jumbled events in her mind. "Other than that fight, I remember random conversations and...that time I...was feeding you soup when you were bedridden..." After saying that out loud, the heat instantly rose to her cheeks. How could she tell him something like that?! The girl did not even know how she suddenly became more comfortable and open with the Akatsuki. It might have had to do with the current setting and how they were sharing a dark, serene room. They were also not directly confronting each other, so speaking their mind was much easier. The florist had to quickly add to her answer so that things do not get even more mortifying. "Oh also, that time we were riding your bird...? I fell off it so you caught me a-and—"

It only occurred to the female blonde now how a lot of the adventures the two had shared were heartfelt. Their encounter was not dull. It drove her to think how, had things been different and he was not a dangerous, wanted criminal, he might have been fun to be around. She must have sounded so stupid that she left the man in awe, Ino thought, so she started thinking about her next question.

Deidara, on the other hand, was on an entirely different wavelength. His mind was immersed into the events that took place on that bird ride and, wanting to clear his name, he instantly sat up in his place, turning towards the kunoichi.

"Look, I did not kiss you. It was you who kissed me, un!"

"—So what kind of a person was I?"

Both teens had spoken at the same time so it took them both a moment to register what the other had said. Although Deidara was the one feeling the gravity of the situation he put himself in, it was Ino who drew in a loud gasp, taken completely by surprise.

"We what?!"

This time Ino could not help but to sit up and finally turn towards the artist, fully aware that it was still too dark to make out his features. The bomber did not want to give the Yamanaka a chance to set off on him, so he broke the 'intended' stare and pulled the bed cover over his body, lying back down.

"Forget I said anything. And you were the same as you are now, un, dumb as fuck. Now leave me to sleep." Deidara finished seeming final.

Ino could only blink at the missing nin's reaction, for everything had escalated way too fast the last few seconds. Did she actually kiss that criminal? How come? It was not out of 'love' was it? How could she love someone like him? The florist could not help holding her tomato face with both hands and biting her lower lip, internally smacking herself on the head in horror.

What the hell had happened with Deidara the last few days?

So friends, I'm contemplating on writing a Dei-Ino NSFW/Rated M one-shot for this story, whenever we reach the right time for it. I wanna keep this fanfic Rated T, so I will not write it as a chapter of this story. However, if I decide on doing it, it will be a one-shot on its own that is hinted to take place some time during the course of this story. Hope I made sense? lol. Writing it will depend on how many followers would actually read it, so please let me know if you would!

Again, don't forget to review!

Love you all and hopefully see you soon!